Little Big Problems

“Ms. Young, your order is ready!”

My fingers typing on the laptop’s keyboard stop and I slip out of my seat to go to the counter.

The aroma of hot coffee reaches my nose as I get near the barista, making my mouth water. I had to skip breakfast this morning because I woke up late for my class. It’s almost noon now and my stomach is growling to fill it.

“Here’s your cappuccino and one small pizza,” the girl behind the counter says, handing me my food. “Enjoy your food.”

The sight of my favorite coffee and cheesy mushroom pizza lifts my mood instantly. I’m so hungry. “Thanks.” I smile at the barista before walking back to my table.

I sip my cappuccino and stare outside through the large glass window on my side, that overlooks the quiet street, choosing to ignore work. The assignment on my laptop can wait for a while.

Wednesday mornings are usually busy for me because of three successive classes, starting right at 7 am without any break. So now that they’re over, I just want to relax and enjoy my pizza.

The bell at the door chimes, announcing the arrival of a new customer, and my eyes inadvertently move to it.

No! Why the hell is he here?!

My plan for a relaxing meal shatters as Adrien Augustine strolls in with his buddy Trent Reid. My appetite dies and is replaced by the need to just vanish from here, away from him.

I look down, trying to avoid his eyes and sending prayers to the thousand gods above that he doesn’t notice me. But the moment I feel two burning holes at the side of my head, I know I’ve been spotted.

I finally look up and find the pair of dark eyes staring back. I see the corner of Adrien’s lips lift up and his eyes glint with mischief, like a predator who found its prey.

Trent is behind him, placing their order. Once he’s done, he sees me too. Now they both are heading toward me, killing all hopes of having my coffee and pizza in peace.

I can’t have a good day, can I?

“Nice surprise to find you here,” Adrien says, his shadow looming over me, “but I’ll admit I’m not too surprised. Little Peppa has to fill herself somewhere.”

“Go away,” I mutter, not meeting his eyes.

“I thought we were friends Harper,” Trent chimes, “don’t you want us to join you?”

“No.”

“Now, you’re breaking my heart.” Good.

Adrien takes the chair beside me and Trent sits on the one across as though I just didn’t refuse them.

“Mind if I have a bite?” Trent asks and takes the slice of my pizza before I can reply. T-that’s my food...

“You’re quick,” Adrien comments and I realize that he’s sitting too close. He has my laptop and is going through the assignment I was working on. “You have already started on Mr. Bailey’s project.”

“Give it back to me.” I reach for my laptop but Adrien slides it to the other end of the table. “What is your problem?” I whine, glaring at him.

“You.” His scorching gaze forces me to lower my eyes. I hate backing down this easily but he’s scary. “You are my problem. Haven’t you learned that already Peppa?”

I scowl at the table, hearing his name for me. Peppa. He took it from the cartoon show Peppa Pig, comparing me to pigs. My childhood memories of actually enjoying the show are ruined because of him. He’s such a jerk.

“I haven’t done anything to be your problem,” I counter.

“You exist. That’s a problem enough.”

My fingers dig into the table at his remark.

Adrien - aka devil - Augustine is one person who I loathe with all the passion. He has been after me since the first year of college. Now we’re sophomores. I have endured his slicing insults, frightening glares and bullying for more than a year, and it looks like I have three more to go before I can finally be free.

“If you’re here to insult me then leave. I have work to do.” I shouldn’t have come to the cafe near our college premises.

“I’m sure you have plenty of time to do your work. It’s not like you have places to be or someone to be with.” My fingers dig deeper.

“You aren’t dating anyone either,” I throw back, knowing he is hinting at my barren love-life. Somehow he found out that I never had a boyfriend and now he loves to rub that in my face.

Adrien smirks. “For me it’s a choice. For you—” his eyes skim down my figure contemptuously, “not so much.” He hums. “It’s high time for you to get on that treadmill Peppa Pig.”

One thing that Adrien loves to pick on is my weight. He never misses a chance to remind me how fat I am. It’s like he wants to make sure that I know how much he hates my body, how much I am worthless to him because I don’t fit his idea of beauty. He’s cruel like that to pounce on my weakest point. I wish I could hit him back with the same insults but he’s too good-looking, and very aware of it.

His unruly raven-black hair falls over his forehead. That pair of eyes as dark as midnight sky can burn with the intensity of a thousand suns. I know since I have been at the receiving end so many times.

His straight-edged nose, bow-shaped lips, chiseled jaw, and a small scar running over his right eyebrow, all come together to give this devil a handsome face. Add in the tall stature that is almost six feet four inches along with the muscles, you have an Adonis.

As I look at Adrien now, I am again subconsciously reminded why so many girls in our college pine over him, want him, and why being single is actually a choice for him. He’s on our college’s basketball team, that’s another plus. He can have a pick from all sorts of girls, all he has to do is throw his charming smile at her and she’ll be in his arms.

“Mr. Reid, your order is ready!” The barista from the counter shouts, making me look away from Adrien.

“That’s us,” Trent chirps and leaves to get his order.

I look at my pizza and find more than half of it gone. I frown. Dealing with these assholes was not on my to do list for the afternoon.

“No wonder you’re spreading out, eating this kind of shit,” Adrien taunts as I feel his eyes watching me. “Ever thought of cutting back on food. Or are you planning to eat until you finally explode.”

I glare at the pizza, imagining bashing Adrien’s head into it.

He shifts closer and the lock of my short hair is tucked behind. “You should come to the court sometimes with me. It’ll be fun to play with you.” His cool breath strokes my ear and my heart picks up at his proximity. “After all, you look bouncy enough to replace those basketballs.”

I close my eyes and take a deep breath to stop the tears that are ready to spill, before meeting his eyes. “Go to hell,” I whisper with all the venom I can muster.

He smiles cruelly. “Gladly, but I’ll make sure to drag my Peppa with me.”

I hate him so much.

I move away from Adrien as Trent returns with a big tray, containing food for at least five people. I stand up, ready to leave. It was enough humiliation for today, I don’t have strength for more.

“Where are you going?” Trent asks but I ignore him and pack my things. I become extra aware when my hand accidentally brushes Adrien’s shoulder while I grab my laptop. “I bought extra cupcakes for you.” Hah! Like I am going to eat cupcakes in front of Adrien.

The feeling of his eyes watching my every movement doesn’t help and I clumsily drop my pens on the floor. My plan for a dramatic exit fails. I feel so embarrassed as I bend down to collect them. One pen lies right next to Adrien’s foot. I quickly reach for it, praying he doesn’t humiliate me more.

My prayer goes unanswered. Adrien steps on my pen before I can grab it, leaving me to glower at his Air Jordans. I look up to find an atrocious smirk playing on his lips.

Suddenly his eyes flicker lower and something in his gloating expression changes. I follow his gaze and discover I am giving him a full view of my cleavage. I immediately stand up, my face beet red. Seriously, is there no end to this humiliating nightmare?

The summer dress that I am wearing has a decent sweetheart neckline, but I didn’t know it can give quite a view. And going by Adrien’s face I gave him a lot of view. He must be revulsed at the sight of it.

I hurriedly grab my remaining stuff, not bothering with the pen under his foot. I avoid looking at him again, too embarrassed to face him.

I dash out of the cafe as soon as I gather my stuff, leaving behind now cold coffee and half-eaten pizza. Those scoundrels can have that too. It’s not like I’m hungry anymore. Thanks to that devil reincarnate.